While the draft goes on…

The second round is getting started now that the pomp and circumstance of Round 1 and the compensation round has come and gone. I’m hoping to get Logan White and De Jon Watson in a combo chat to talk to you all at some point, so stay tuned on that front.

For those of you who would like the chance to meet James Loney and Andruw Jones, you can do so tomorrow at the Macy’s in Sherman Oaks from 1-2 p.m. They will be signing autographs as part of a Father’s Day promotion, and anyone who purchases $50 or more on Fossil merchandise in the men’s department will get a special baseball to get autographed by both players.

Meanwhile, speaking of cool experiences, for any of you who missed Nomar Garciaparra’s Carne Asada Sundays last year, he’s hosting another one on June 22 of this month and it’s a chance to get an autographed photo of him, go to the game against the Indians, get a nice dinner and hang out with Nomar. If you’re interested, call 323.224.1435, as there aren’t very many spots left (the whole thing is limited to 250 people).

In other news, Matt Kemp was suspended today for four games, but he has appealed it and is in tonight’s lineup, which is:

Pierre, LF

Kemp, CF

Ethier, RF

Kent, 2B

Martin, C

Loney, 1B

DeWitt, 3B

Hu, SS

Billingsley, P

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Hopefully Matt will get the usual one day reduction in his suspension as a result of the appeal, so it’s worth filing. We’ll certainly miss him, but I’m also looking forward to DY getting some steady AB’s at least for the three games.

I posted on the previous thread not realizing it switched again. Wow – two thread changes in one day. We will see what tonights game brings – hopefully a win.
GO DODGER BLUE

cpompe – thanks for the article on Andre. Can’t wait to see what his blog has to say. You kind of wonder if he reads this one. If he does I hope he knows how most of us are rooting for him in this outfield battle.
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I knew there was reason I like Andre so much, and not just because he can play baseball (and pretty cute, if I might add), but his love of food and dining. My husband and I own a kitchenware store called Nelson’s Nook – “Gifts for the Chef.” Another thing we have in common is that at my church, I am on the missions team who work closely with our homeless population. Andre is a very cool dude!!!!
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I got a text about Kemp in my training today. I haven’t read the posts from previous thread, but I will assume you have talked about it. Not too sure why he got more days, but I would have to think because of him shoving first – hmmm
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oldfogey/westernmost – welcome back from vacation

did you guys see the youtube video of Ethan Martin’s little brother hitting the umpire with the pitch, in retaliation for Ethan? it’s SO funny because i saw that this morning, and then the dodgers drafted the kid! Obviously, Ethan was not directly involved the the incident of hitting the ump, and i hope he has more maturity and sense than his little brother! here’s the link if you haven’t seen it:

Did anyone notice that we selected another pitcher in the 1st round of todays draft? We need some young kid who can hit the long ball and drive in runs. As I listened to ESPN’s coverage of the draft, every time a team selected a non-pitcher, all they talked about was the kids hitting prowess and they could foresee them doing well on the major league team in a year or two. We desperately need this on the Dodgers.

oh, and just in case some of you guys have no clue about the video clip.. here’s the short version of the story:

“In the half inning prior to the beaning, shortstop Ethan Martin argued with the plate umpire and threw his helmet after becoming the ninth straight Stephens batter to strike out.
Two batters later, Cody Martin, Ethan’s younger brother, threw the pitch that hit the umpire. Hill, the catcher, dropped to his knees and ducked as the ball approached.”

Appealing the suspension shows a lack of integrity. Kemp admitted on the post game show that he did a stupid thing and seemed to indicate he will take what punishment there is.
Just do the time and learn from the mistake. If the Dodgers suffer, too bad. Maybe the manager and coaches will have to earn their money and teach the young players how to play the game in all respects and stop immature emotional outbursts.

I would say that the offense has always been the Dodgers weakest link since they’ve been in LA.
With the exception from the mid 70s to the early 90s.
After that Piazza, Green & Beltre provided some punch but other than that the pitching has been its best suit.
Had some great starting pitching through the years and in recent years it’s been the bullpen that has contributed the most.
THEY’LL GIVE IT ALL THEY GOT TONIGHT.

By his comments, Kemp seems to have learned his lesson. Ultimately,I don’t know how you stop emotional outbursts completely. You can instruct and educate but, sometimes, people insist on being human. Bottom line, Kemp is responsible for his own behavior, not the manager and coaches. These players aren’t minor children and this isn’t Little League.

This team is unwatchable! How many years are we going to have to wait to have a competitve/winning team for several years in a row. I am a hugh Dodger fan from CT. I made two trips down to Shea stadium. However, it is rediculous that as of June 5th we are three games under .500 looking to go possible 7 games under after we are done with the Cubs. Every move that Colletti has made has blown up in his face, he needs to go! Let me just remind people of several of them:

None of the players he has brought in over the last two years have done anything! The McCourts said it is time to win, what are we waiting for? How many more nights do I have to stay up to 1:00am to watch them continue to get beat!

Amen, Pierre. It’s been apparent for weeks that Hu is completely overmatched at the plate and needs to be in Vegas playing every day. I don’t understand why Torre keeps playing him. Play Maza or bring somebody else up until Ferc gets back. We have enough trouble scoring runs as it is without having 2 number 9 hitters on a daily basis…. It looks like Bad Chad has returned. a 4-0 lead for the Cubbies does not look good , the way we’re hitting (and I use that term rather loosely) lately. At this point, with our young players getting most of the playing time, injuries,and non-productive veterans,we’re just not that good yet. We will get better in time.

I’m going to bed. I can’t waste another night staying up to 1:00 AM to watch this team. I’m totally disgusted. You can see it in the players faces. We’re down 4 to 0 and they already know they can’t win.

Pierre should play everyday he is awesome! I am trying reverse psychology, maybe Joe will say I will show them and sit him down. Hey Eric you are the man with the stats…anyway to tell how many at bats Pierre has hit the ball out of the infield? I bet less than 50%.

The exciting part boys is that we drafted a kid Gordon that they say is a Juan Pierre type….great speed but no power…Logan have you hit your head….

I am not one to question Mr White but when do we start drafting hitters…Pitching is crucial but so is someone who can hit the ball out of the freaking park.

JOSH
I keep forgetting, but when Torre came out of the dugout in the top of the 9th, I remembered to ask, Why don’t the Dodgers where their Blues with the white lettering, if only to change their luck?

Even though we lost, I feel this was a fabulous game.
This could be the best game the Dodgers played all year.
For the first time in a long time, I had faith until the very end.
I tell you we’re gonna make it.
GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!

I finally got on with my new computer. I am not exactly computer saavy so it took me awhile. I was watching the game though, and I was very happy with how the boys played tonight eventhough the outcome showed a different result. I was very pleased with Jeff’s 2 home runs, and I was praying for Andre’s to go over that left field wall (the double was nice to see, though). It was great to see Hu get a nice hit, and for the others, maybe tomorrow will be there day, along with the ones that got their hits today.
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Dodgerboy – you asked about my son’s pitching in the previous thread. He did great. He had broken his forearm two weeks into the season sliding into 2nd base, and was out for the rest of the season. Now, that it is just summer ball, they only pitch 2 innings each. I think I told jhall, but he is like a miniature version of Kershaw (hair and all). He is a left-handed pitcher with a nasty curve ball, sinker and change up. He’s working on velocity for his fastball; he is only 14 (he will be a young sophmore next year), and if he can stay healthy and keep the grades, he will go far.
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dodge16_12 – this is too small of a world, but yes, I do go to church in Merced (Yosemite Church). It is very contemporary (nondenominational), and my family has been attending there for 3+ years. I love it!! Alot of activity for all age levels, and many opportunities to get involved in the community and/or church itself. Pastors are wonderful, too,and my kids love the highschool program.

Interesting. Well, obviously most everyone’s base hits get to the outfield. But dodgerboy’s question was, “anyway to tell how many at bats Pierre has hit the ball out of the infield? I bet less than 50%.” Let’s find out. Baseball reference doesn’t have that one, so let’s do it ourselves.

Infield % – 51.7
Outfield % – 34.3
Not in play % – 13.9

Looky there, dodgerboy! 51.7% of the time, he hits the ball to someone on the infield. So, he fails to get the ball out of the infield 50% of the time. Right? Good call. But is this out of the norm? Let’s find out.

All right, that’s enough. The total plate appearances are similar, so are the percentages to the outfield. Where are the real differences? Pierre’s % of PAs where he puts the ball in play to the infield is much higher and his % PAs when he walks and strikes out is much lower. So it follows that as he avoids striking out and walking, he’s hitting the ball to the infield, where he’s hitting .139. I guess that explains the crummy OBP. Kind of makes me wonder why he bothers to bunt. He may indeed have more bunts for hits than anyone in baseball, but I’d like to know his success rate. Watching the games, he’s not successful very often. Surely not at the same rate as his overall batting average.

It’s late. We came back tonight. Didn’t win, but showed some heart. A break, we could use a break.

It reminds me of what a great player Bobby Valentine was. In AAA, with all those other great players, he led the PCL in every offensive catagory except home runs and was the MVP. If the Dodgers weren’t so damned in love with Bill Russell at shortstop, we would never have traded him to the Angels and he never would have destroyed his leg on their crappy outfield chainlink fence and we might have had a Hall of Fame shortstop.

Well, I was so hoping to get up this morning and find out we won. We can close. Watched Matt strike out w/bases loaded. He struck at ball 3 high & missed. Should have had a chance to walk but he’s very impatient and he needs someone to really work with him on his patience at the plate. \

Thanks for the stats Eric you are amazing. Bill James has nothing on you.

Tough night…Lakers lose, Dodgers lose, I am glad the Rams did not play!

Torre do something to shake the team up…Dance naked, throw something, but this team has no life. That is one of the issues I have had with the past managers. Tracey, Little they just sit there like oh well sh..t happens! I realize it is a long season, but the team is a reflection of the management. Man I wish we had Scioscia!!!!

Frank, please I am begging you hire only Dodger Blue! No more Gnats GMs/trainers, Yankee managers. The Dodgers had the best manager in baseball and allowed him to go to Anaheim 8 years or so ago. His teams play with fire and are always running, putting pressure on the opposition.

Scioscia will not leave Anaheim, so I petition that when Torre leaves hire Steve Yeager. He is the type that would light a fire under the players and he coached most, if not all of these kids the last 2-3 years. I know he worked with Martin alot and he knows how to relate to the players. I am not saying to fire Torre, but hire someone that can relate and motivate the young players. Being laid back and yanking Ethier out of the lineup like a yo yo and being loyal to a .139 hitter on 52% of the balls he hits and they are to the infield, is not smart management.

I am just venting this is a very frustrating time but I will continue to root for my beloved Dodgers!!!!

dodgerboy,
No, I wasn’t up all night, just had to catch up on all of the comments from last night’s game and previous two threads. Then I read all the stats (not to the extent eric does – he can have that job – lol)), and then I read any articles involving my favorites (Andre, Russell and sometimes Matt and Blake). Also, I am officially on summer vacation and I am a night owl so vacation will provide even later nights. Plus, I finished the song I was working on for the past few days. Michael’s next game is Tuesday. Sometime this summer he is going to have his pitching analyzed by a pitching coach from the former Modesto A’s team (I forget their new name).

I truly regret not getting into teaching, I have an education degree and never taught. Man, would I like the summer off….instead I got into the retail world and work crazy hours and make great money…but now as I get older, it is not about the money but it is all about the quality of life….enjoy your summer!!!!

To get your morning started with a song: I heard this song three times in one day, and I figured it was a sign.
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Surrender – Cheap Trick
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We all told you, yes, we told you to be a fan like us
We also told you, “Have some fun, you’ll never know what you’ll see
Just the other day I saw a Dodger going yard among a cheering crowd
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Andre’s alright, Matty’s alright, they just need a little time
Young Dodgers, Young Dodgers, coming on out to play
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Bloggers say, “youth is right, we’re really up on things”
“Before we worry, Loney will serve up a launch in the upper deck”
Now, we had heard that Ned recruited old vets for the team
But Pierre isn’t what we want, We’ve known it all these years
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Russell’s alright, James is alright, they just need a little time
Young Dodgers, young Dodgers, coming on out to play
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Whatever happened to all this season’s losers of the year?
Ev’ry time we got to thinking, where’d they disappear?
When we woke up, Andruw and Nomar are sitting on DL
Making money, rockin and sittin, can’t even help us out
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Blake is alright, Hu is alright, they just need a little time
Young Dodgers, young Dodgers, coming on out to play
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Watching First Take on ESPN talking about us missing Furcal – I am sure Eric has those stats of our current Short stops – not good, and yes, I had to agree – we do miss him.

Definitely know about working in retail. We are very similar having to work with the public. I just have to work with the children of the adults you probably serve, and I know what those adults are like at times (worse than the children – lol!). Plus my husband owns a small business downtown, but he is considering a new venture – our town needs a place for our young ball players to train, so he is considering (actually really looking into) opening a baseball facility with batting cages, pitching mounds, etc., and he has gotten a lot of people wanting to back him.

dnell and dodgerboy, thanks for the cudos. Researching this stuff is kind of fun, actually. At least for me. I found a pretty good site:http://www.baseball-reference.com/

They have a lot of stuff in there, and the more you learn how to find it, the more amazed you are that there are people accumulating it. I was a bit of a loner growing up. Anger problems, divided family, all that crap. I buried myself in sports, playing them and watching. One year (I think it was 1971 but I could be off by a year) I took the Dodger box scores every day and accumulated the batting and pitching stats and kept them in a 3-ring binder. All by hand, of course, on college-rule paper. The whole season, moving them around ranked by batting averages and ERAs. I calculated them with my slide rule. I think that binder is still in my possession, up in a closet near where I found those photos, dnel. Pathetic, huh? I’m much better now. I discovered girls and they discovered me and I ended up with a real life. 🙂 But obviously, I still have a passion for the Boys in Blue!

I don’t think it’s ever too late to get into education – they are always looking for great teachers, but it’s the beauracracy that is the hard part, not the teaching (our MLK got out for that reason). It’s the most common reason (along with budgets) why teachers leave the profession.
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I am going to school to finish cleaning and paperwork – I will catch up to all of you there – bye for now 🙂

If I could afford the pay cut I would be the first in line. Unfortunately I have built my lifestyle up to where I am kind of tied to this business for now…and with houses not selling I cannot really change. Keep doing the great job that it sounds like you are doing…we need more like you!!!

Does anyone else think that JoJo is just as responsible for this pathetic group as Nerd, maybe even moreso? JP’s hitting 23 points under his career average and has only managed to score 23 runs despite all this time as lead-off. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see he’s dragging this team under game after game. Kent’s warming up a bit, but if you have to depend on a 40 year old clean-up hitter to carry your team, you’re in deep kakaland. Hu obviously isn’t ready for the show. Slick fielders are OK if you can offset them with big bats, but since the D’s can’t, why not try someone else? Now that Sweeney’s gotten a couple hits we’ll be treated to another 30-40 unproductive ABs because he’s a “professional” PH. Bizarre line-ups for the first two months that we’d still be seeing if it weren’t for injuries, playing inferior players, mismanaging games… Ned may be the architect, but JoJo’s the incompetent general contractor. This team would probably be tied with the Snakes with virtually any other manager.

Hey E. Tough loss last night. Sammy hasn’t been his usual lights out self. Phew is obviously not the answer in the leadoff spot or for any spot in my opinion. He is already in decline and we’re stuck with him for 3 more years after this year. Can you imagine how inept he will be in 2010/2011. I think I am going to be sick. Hope your trip is going well.
Eric, great stats. Greatly appreciate your efforts. It is very enlightening.
Way to go Nelly. Great song. Now I’ll be humming Cheap Trick all day. Not a bad thing.

Hindsight being 20-20…and to paraphrase Bobby Knight, “Saito, Martin and Kemp have forgotten more about this f**king game than I’ll ever know…” but two things stick in my craw this morning. The first being that breaking pitch to Fukudome to put Cubs ahead after he had NO CLUE on Saito’s first two fastballs…and Kemp, ahead 2-0 in the count with the bases loaded in the 9th (and Wood having just hit a batter and walked a batter…Pierre, no less!!!!), swinging at a ball around his shoulders. Why is Kemp even THINKING about swinging?

But all that being water under the bridge, I still vented to my high school’s baseball coach this morning and he came up with a great pearl of wisdom for us all: do anything you can to maintain your sanity with the Dodgers this year…the implication being, they’re young and they will have their day.

Bases loaded, Matt Kemp is hitting the count is 2-0.
Wood had already hit a batter, walk a batter, then throwing 2 balls at Kemp. Kemp swings at ball three. The the heck is torre doing. Why would you give him the green light, i understand maybe giving the green light to a veteran but to Matt Kemp. A young an agressive hitter, well that is the result that you would get, him swinging at a ball out of the strike zone. Then he gets blown out on an inside pitch. The hell was Torre thinking.
That my freinds was the ball game.

Agree with you, enchanted concerning JoJo. He’s not the kind of manager you want for the young team that we’re now fielding, whether by intent or due to the DL list. We all know that hiring Torre was Frank’s publicity thing when he became available, but he has nothing to offer when it comes to working with and developing strictly younger players. Give him his great reputation, but he won’t give us diddly in return unless we can surround him with a star studded veteran cast in their prime. That’s not Ned’s forte, so we will just s*ck for a while. It’s also disconcerting that we no longer have a reliable closer, but he may also be coming to the end of his career, like so many of our other vets. With typical 8th and 9th inning relief help we could have won three games over the last two weeks, so that’s just another aspect of the game that’s unraveling.

I definitely know what you mean Dodgerboy – times are tough with the market we live in now. I have just managed to have taught long enough, (in a very well-paying district, even at the school I went to as a kid – scary!) so I am at a point where we are not struggling. I don’t think I could be a new teacher in this day and age, just for the red tape to get there in the first place. I left the state and when I came back, I had to jump through so many hoops even though I graduated from a state university. By the time I got back all these other requirements were added, but fortunately because my degree was in liberal studies w/ education emphasis, I was able to by-pass many of the tests that new teachers have to take now-a-days. It was just the footwork I had to do to prove I had taken the required classes.
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eric – I have been on that website – it is a lot of fun and addictive. I used to keep stats on all different sports growing up (I used to be a scorekeeper for baseball, basketball, and even wrestling, plus water polo because that is the sport I played in high school). My dad coached baseball and basketball, and I learned from him to keep pretty accurate stats, but now-a-days, it is amazing all the information you can find on any topic. Now that I have my own computer (no share time) I will be able to research more statistical things – I do have a lot of stats on Ethier, however, even from his college and minor league days (I know – my husband lives with the fact that I am a little obsessed about Andre lately – lol!! My husband attributes it to the fact that Andre, the Dodgers and this blog are a version of my mid-life crisis so he is pretty cool about it – my kids think I am insane, but it’s no different then there my space – addicted as well – lol!! I think the fact that I have a girlfriend who shares in my baseball obsession even makes it more fun and annoying to my kids. My kids do like the songs, however – you, jhall, and enchanted are pretty cool eventhough you are Dodger fans 🙂

I agree with you, enchantedsunset. It’s one thing for young players who are learning and developing to make some mistakes. But Torre is an experienced manager, and yet his player decisions are a joke. His constantly changing lineups and benching young players for vets who are not producing has created a loss of confidence and looseness in the young players. It’s no wonder that they don’t always have the best at bats and that team chemistry is noticibly missing. Pierre was supposed to be the fourth outfielder, yet he almost always in the lineup. Young has a lot of hitting potential, yet he never plays several games in a row to show what he can do. And LaRoche should be called up and worked into the lineup. Can you imagine how he feels being treated the way he has? It’s just like Loney was last year. Right now the Dodgers are pathetic, but it’s management, not the players who are mostly to blame.

LOL, jhall!! Now I’m humming Cheap Trick along with Bill Cosby flashbacks! “…..and I opened the freezer door, and my mother had thrown the snowball away…..” Finish it if you can. I agree about Saito. I hope he’s not in decline. He’s no kid.

I’ve got no problem with a game-tying, bases-loaded, bottom-of-the-ninth walk kahli, but I really don’t have a problem with a guy getting his hacks in, trying his best to get THAT HIT. What kills me is that one-handed-you-fooled-me-even-if-I-hit-it-the-ball’s-going-nowhere-Pierre-special swing.

So true, jhall – my husband’s got his blogging group, too, but mine is way more exciting and creative!! He liked the songs you (and eric) did for me, even though he is a gnats fan and loves Limsecum. He was pulling for the Dodgers last night, too – he was cheering on Pierre to hit a home run (lol!), and then when Matt got up, he was hoping for a walk so Andre would have to be the one to either win or go into extra innings. He loves to make my life stressful!! 🙂

Talk about songs – I have had the James Loney song stuck in my head for days now – thanks MLK – lol!. I think that is why I was having a hard time finishing the Cheap Trick song (one of my favorite classics BTW). I had heard the Surrender song 3 times a few days ago, but it’s been nothing but the James Loney song since – lol!! I sang it literally all day in my head and then all during the game – crazy!! 🙂

Sounds like a fun household. Unfortunate that Kemper wasn’t the best guy to have up in that situation. Marty, Ethier, Kent, or even DeWitt would have been a better match for Wood in that scenario. Don’t look now Nelly, but the G’nats are creeping up on us. Like the Far Side comic with the eyeball in the rear view mirror that says, “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear”. LOL!!

Oh, I know, my family is making me fully aware of that everyday, thank you very much – lol!. Like I have said all along, as long as the Giants are behind the Dodgers at the end of the season, I consider it a successful season. Not that I am conceding this season at all (for the people out there who have already given up on them). I am a believer that this Dodger team is going to do great things this season “if” the kids get there full year of playing time. And, yes, with one out, and knowing how Andre was batting last night (fabulous double and an inches from the fence missed HR), probably would have at least put the ball into play at the minimum (he didn’t strike out once last night). Also, Russell was due for a big hit, too (boy is he ever!). I should probably wear his shirt tonight – he needs something – poor guy. Then again, even without him hitting, he’s needed out there – he’s the “Captain” for goodness sake. 🙂

You think you’re a good Dodger G-M?
Neddie
We know you’re a bad little dealmaker
Neddie

I want you to go home
Where you won’t do no harm, no
You’ve got to be fired, just fired
Ooh, Ned Coletti

We’ve got a, the 4th highest payroll
Neddie
Problem is, they’re all on the DL
Neddie
Ah, baby listen now
I’ve made up my mind yeah
I’m tired of you wasting all my precious time
You’ve got to be gone, right now
Ned Coletti

I’m gonna send you home
Where you won’t do no harm, no
You just can’t be here, no mo

Meaning I can type a comment, but it doesn’t post. At first, it said I didn’t have permission to sign in, but somehow I got past that part. Maybe it’s just slow. If that’s the case, then I have the same post twice.

I still don’t see my post. I had to log off Inside Dodgers and then sign in on that one. Now, I am signed onto both at the same time. Strange that I can’t see my post but you can. I have tried going completely off Dodgers.com, but still don’t see anything different from the original 5 when I first signed on.

I was at the game last night and I could not believe Kemp was not given the “TAKE” sign 2-0 after a walk and HBP!!!!

Blame = Torre

Saito coming in with the score tied in the 9th just because there’s 40,000 bobbleheads in the stands? How many times have we seen “closers” stink it up in that situation where their adrenaline is down?

Blame = Torre
..

Terry Frickin’ Tiffee??? 2 outs and the tying run in scoring position? I didn’t pay $15 parking to see a career minor leaguer come up against the best team in the league with the game on the line. He was on his way to striking out when he luckily got hit by the pitch. Then JP “walks” after miraculously not being called out on that check swing. Then Kemp swinging 2-0…

No, very strange – I can only see the original 5 that were on there when I first found it – I thought I was kicked out because of my “somewhat” obsession of him. Obsession is such a strong word – makes me feel like a stalker – lol! I really do like him as a ballplayer, and not just because he’s cute – lol!!
I will trust you that it’s on there – maybe my network is the issue -it’s obviously not mlblogs.com – thanks, jhall!!

nellie, don’t feel too much like a stalker. My wife fell madly in love with Dan Fouts of the Chargers back in ’81 and she hasn’t left me for him yet. ‘Course, maybe it’s because she’s never run into him………

I beg your pardon,
There’s some manure in our outfield garden.
Along with old Andruw,
There’s a stinky little Juan P-U.
When Ned speaks, you gotta cringe, cuz you know we’ll get singed,
Or get snow-wo-wo-ow-ed.
I beg your pardon, there’s some manure in our outfield garden.

Neddy promised us some things like big diamond rings,
But you don’t find wins a comin’ from washed up veterans.
Same old (bleep) this year all over again.
Well, if slow-talk’in Joe would let the kids grow,
We could have us a winner in only a year or two,
But it’s the youngster’s he continually screws.
Let’s Fire Ned and we’d all be jolly:
Fire Torre too for this year’s folly
Promote Mr. Logan White while we still can.

I beg your pardon,
Ned’s acquisitions are a deadman’s garden.
Along with the dimwits,
The rest have all turned in-to some Schmidt.

[Instrumental break]

I beg your pardon,
There’s some manure in this year’s garden.

He coulda brought us in a Dunn to make us #1,
But instead he went out and got us a fat Andruw,
And let’s not forget Ku-ro-da too.
Ned never looks before he leaps, he coulda won for cheap,
And now there’s no one here now who can pull us out,
And you know what I’m talkin’ about.
So let’s Fire Ned and all be jolly
Fire Torre too for this year’s folly
Promote Mr. Logan White while we still can

I beg your pardon,
Ned’s acquisitions are a deadman’s garden.
Along with the dimwits,
The rest have all turned in-to Schmidt…

Great – this will be the first time he (Andre) reads this blog, and he will see that I am a total lunatic with my talk of being obsessed and earlier this morning about my having all of his stats from back when he was in college – lol!! There are some pretty good songs today, though – lol!!
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BTW (speaking of colleges) – Arizona State plays Fresno State today in super regionals today. I have followed Arizona State ever since they came on the scene as a power house in collegiate baseball. The fact that Andre played for ASU and then ended up on my favorite Dodger team is just incredible!

Thanks, eric – lol!!- I would probably die if I ran into Andre. The last time I got to see Andre play, I was trying to get my daughter to get the autograph. I will have to assume that when my girlfriend and I go see the Dodgers/Braves series, she will make things happen. I am not forceful by nature, and I would never get in the way of a child getting an autograph. My friend, however, has pictures/autographs of a whole bunch of ball players so maybe when we go in July, she will make it happen. I would really like to meet him someday. Here I go again – lol!!
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I had the same obsession with Mike Scoscia (among others) when I was a kid. Now, I’m just a much older version of that kid. I have a thing for catchers and outfielders. I think the catcher has the hardest physical job (for obvious reasons), and I think the outfielders have the hardest mental job. The emotional drain they must go through with all the yelling and screaming at them, especially when they are in an opposing team’s ballpark (and in our case with Andruw and Juan out there in their own ballpark).

scott – don’t get us started on Pierre – lol!! He has been pathetic lately, and all you have to do is look at the numbers to show it. So, he leads the team in steals – BFD!!! ( I can say that now – I’m out of school)

I bow to the Master!
“I beg your pardon,
There’s some manure in our outfield garden.”
Every now and then, perfection! Well done, enchantedamedeus!

I grew up following the Dodgers and Lakers and Rams and Kings, but that was pretty much it until 2004 when I got sucked into the World of NASCAR. I worked with a couple of guys who talked it all day long and I started watching it. I was struck by how humble most of the drivers are. They are always quick to credit their team members. About the only time you hear them say “I” is when they say, “I’m sorry” or “I apologize”. Very refreshing in today’s pro sports arena. I started being a fan of a local boy, Jimmie Johnson, and I have a bunch of merchandise with the 48 on it.

I bring this up because of what you said about being afraid of meeting Ethier, dnell. I was about to meet Johnson during the offseason after he won the first of his two championships and while standing in line, I was rehearsing what I was going to say to him – Congratulations on winning, it’s a pleasure to meet you, blah, blah, blah. Unfortunately, when it came time, I shook his hand and all that came out of my mouth was, “UHHHHH, this is a GREAT DAY FOR ME!” Mind you, I was no kid. I was 53 at the time and a polished veteran at public speaking. It’s not like I’ve got a man-crush on him or anything. What an idiot! What a MAROON! Someday I hope to try that again. I hope you fare better should you get the chance.

lol!! scott – ha,ha I did watch Barry back at ASU, but I didn’t have the forsight to see what Barry’s future would be back then. I wasn’t a fan of Barry’s with the Giants, but that was more because he played for the Giants and he was kind of a jerk (only know from what writers have written). Now, with all that has happened since, I’m still not a fan, but I do think the way the Giants organization has literally wiped him off the map at AT&T park is kind of sad. He was a big reason why that park was packed every night. Honestly, I don’t watch college teams, knowing they are going to be stars one day. Andre was a fluky thing, and it’s more that I go back and look at those stats knowing he played for ASU back when I was watching. As far as college teams, I also follow Cal St. Fullerton, Long Beach, Fresno State, and my alumni Sacramento State (fairly new to Division 1, and will be a great team someday with more experience at Division 1) – I love Pac 10 sports so I will watch any sport that involves those teams. Sorry for long post – now I am explaining/rationalizing my obsession – even scarier – lol!! 🙂

dnelson, i have an obsession with catchers too. i think it’s hard not to appreciate them for all they do. and admire them. obviously, russell is my favorite.

a couple random thoughts on some of the draft picks…

Nick Buss (taken 8th round) is from USC. I work all the baseball games at ‘SC so i’ve been able to watch him for a couple years. He’s a really nice, hardworking kid. We’ve batted him mostly at the top of the order (almost always lead-off). He has some pop, but not really homerun power. He can hit some out, but he’s more of a gap hitter. He gives good at bats. He has speed. He is a great defender. I’m excited that he got drafted by the dodgers, with the hopes of being able to watch him play for my fave team in the future. But i am not positive he will sign, he might want to stay in school. Although 8th round money will probably convince him as he won’t have any leverage next year when he’s a senior..

The other kid i wanted to comment on is also an outfielder. since i work all the games, i am able to see a lot of talented players on opposing teams. The outfielder, Kyle Conley, from Washington went CRAZY when they played us this year. I think he’s a good player in general, but that weekend in particular, he killed us. He went 8-10, with a single, 3 doubles, 2 homeruns, and 9 RBI. He is definitely a potential power bat.

lol, eric – I was 22 years old and on my honeymoon flight to Jamaica, and I was sitting two seats down from Steve Yeager (another favorite catcher). I was speechless the entire time. I remember my husband saying “stop staring” many, many times. He eventually got the autograph for me, and then I gave it to my mother.

I’m with you on the NASCAR. I used to be a very casual observer, but I now follow it much more closely for the same reasons you stated. With all of the losers in our other major sports, the NASCAR guys are a breath of fresh air to me.

Reading all the rants today…a few have pointed out Terry Tiffee pinch-hitting with the game on the line against the Cubs’ closer. Welcome to Ned’s bench. I really haven’t faulted Ned lately because the team is playing the kids. But Ned’s bench is abominable…especially with such a young starting line-up. Kids can do many things…but pinch-hitting will never be their strong suit.

yeah scott, they have a couple of clowns there of course. But I’d say I’d like to have about 95% of them at my house for dinner. Just nice, well-adjusted guys who don’t seem like they think their s… don’t stink. I have a couple of Lowe’s jackets and I wear them unless it’s 90 or hotter. There have been about 10 people that have stopped me on the street or in stores that know him and/or his family and they all say the same thing. Great people.

sara,
I think I have liked every Dodger catcher, and outside of Russell (who is my #2 behind Andre), other MLB catchers I enjoy watching are Joe Mauer, Napoli, and Snyder (my fantasy league catcher). I was at the Dodgers/Diamondback series last September, and Snyder was really pretty cool to all the Dodger fans in his area when he was warming up. He signed a whole bunch of autographs for the young Dodger fans.

Just out of curiosity, those of you that are complaining about Tiffee hitting with the game on the line, who would you have sent up? They used Sweeney in the 5th and DY in the 7th. That leaves Tiffee, Maza and Ardoin, really only Tiffee and Maza. Luis is hitting .220, but 0 for his last 16 and 2 for his last 27.

Wow!
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I’m gone for maybe 24 hours and the amount and quality of insightful commentary and general discussion is amazing.
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Thanks to DNelly, enchantedsun, jhail, and Dodgereric for some sweet song parodies. Hope I didn’t miss anybody.
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Leekfink and I went to the game last night. Although we lost, it was a good game. When it comes down to a hitter like Matt against a Kerry Wood throwing (one inning at a time anyway) like the Kerry Wood of old for all the marbles, that’s a good game. We lost it this time, but as Kemp gains experience, he’ll win more and more of those battles.
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We had some fun with the Cubbies fans last night. How do you spell 100 years of futility? C-U-B-S? Seriously, if we don’t represent the NL in the World Series this year, I would like to see the Cubs go. I’ve been to Wrigley for a Dodgers game, and my experience there was excellent. The fans around me harassed me as a Dodger fan, but in a good-natured way. It truly is “The Friendly Confines”.
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I’d like to see Matt Kemp shorten up on his swing when he has two strikes against him and when the situation only calls for a single. His 2-strike AVG is a sad .152 (OBP .202).
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Thanks to any who threw up a prayer for baby Adan Gabriel. He has improved tremendously, and may get to go home today.

I understand your point of view for sure, but if the manager doesn’t make that “take” call in that spot, what call does he make? You have to enforce it just in case a guy blanks out (like Kent flying out on the first pitch after Ethier’s double last night proves even vets can be impatient).

True. Well let’s hope our offense is starting to get out of a funk after the 4 run outburst last night. I like our chances today and Sunday night against the loveable losers. Unfortunately I live in Chicago and had to endure a lot of crap last night. Biggest cry baby fans in the world.

Bison at the Bat
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Apologies to Ernest Lawrence Thayer
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The outlook was still ugly for the Dodger nine that night;
The score stood five to four, as My Loney hugged second tight
And then when DeWitt looked at strikes, and Chin Hu just flied out,
A pall-like silence fell upon the bloggers of the game.
.
A straggling few logged off their PCs in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, “If only Bison could but get a whack at that —
We’d put up even money now, with Bison at the bat.”
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But Tiffee preceded Bison, as did also Juan Pierre,
And the former was up and down, while the latter was hardly there;
So upon that stricken internet grim melancholy sat;
For there seemed but little chance of Bison getting to the bat.
.
But Tiffee was hit by pitch, as the fans typed out their calls
And Phew, the much despised, even got his base on balls
And when the dust had lifted, and all saw what had occurred,
Phew at first, Tiffee second and My Loney grabbing third.
.
Then from forty thousand screens and more there rose a lusty chant;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled as a rant;
It overloaded Cisco and the screens they all were flat,
For Bison, mighty Bison, was advancing to the bat.
.
There was ease in Bison’s manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Bison’s gleaming as a smile lit Bison’s face.
As the first two pitches were balls, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt ’twas Bison at the bat.
.
Eighty thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt.
Forty thousand keyboards applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing Yorvit ground the ball into his neck,
Defiance flashed in Bison’s eye, the Bison hefts his stick.
.
And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Bison stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped —
“I like that pitch,” said Bison. “Strike one!” the umpire said.
.
From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
“Kill Matt! Kill the Bison!” shouted someone on the blog;
And it’s likely they’d have killed him had not Bison raised his log.
.
With a smile of Christian charity great Bison’s visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
But Bison just ignored it, and the umpire said “Strike two!”
.
“Fraud!” cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered “Fraud!”
But one scornful look from Bison and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Bison wouldn’t let that ball go by again.
.
The sneer has fled from Bison’s lip, the teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now Kerry Wood holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Bison’s blow.
.
Oh, somewhere in this favored state the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;
But there is no joy in LA — mighty Bison has struck out.

Right, rock and a hard place for sure. I’m upset with those options to being with and not so upset at Tiffee being chosen over equally inexperienced guys. Why is Young a pinch hitter at 25? Man, losing Furcal for any period of time just kills the offense on this team, because they feel they have to have a “prototypical” lead off guy and thus, won’t sit Pierre or bat him lower.

As for Kemp. Who knows if he’ll ever recover from being benched for Pierre early in the year after hitting .342 last year. The Dodgers sure have a way of screwing with young players. (See Nomar replacing DeWitt even with Blake playing well all around earlier this year – AND sending Blake down to boot!!)

Regarding Matt Kemp last nite. he should know not to swing at a 2-0 pitch. That’s fundamental baseball. If he doesn’t, than he should have coaches that are helping him. He swung at ball three and took a fast ball down the middle for strike 2. Then when he struck out he should have had the sense to choke up and just make contact. He of course swung hard and missed. This kid has a lot to learn and the coaches don’t seem to be helping him at all.

dodgereric,
since you’re a relative, do you know his dad kevin? nice guy too. he’s such a goofball…

i have to say, i wasn’t questioning tiffee up at the plate last night with the game on the line. i mean, the guy is unproven, but there were no other options. i also have to say i’d really like to see him get more at bats. torre needs to stop using sweeney EVERYTIME. if that were sweeney up there (had he not be used earlier, it would have been), i would have had no confidence. but with tiffee i had hope. i guess it’s just easier to hope the unknown proves himself, rather than watch sweeney choke again. i am aware that he had an rbi hit last night, but he’s still batting barely above .100

Hey scurtis, I understand you live in Chicago. I live in Waterloo, Il and have to endure both the Cubs and Cardinal fans. I’m getting tired of all the harassment by my own family. Both my sons are Cards fans, so it gets to be a drag after awhile when the Dodgers are playing like they are now. We’ll win tonight……

crash, that was great! I have a framed copy of that (Casey, not the Bison) hanging in my garage.

sara, yeah. That’s the “relation”, Kevin and I married sisters. Cyle is his son from a previous marriage. You’re right, Kevin is unique to say the least. Never a dull moment. He’s the same guy at a Christmas dinner as at the ballpark. I’d take a bullet for him.

The only value in trading the kids is intangible and not for the Dodgers. The value would be seeing all those wonderful hopes and dreams on another team become mlb stars. And knowing my luck, it would be the Giants – lol. Very good point enchanted.

Was at last night’s game. It was great to see them hit for a change and for a couple of guys to hit when they haven’t been lately (namely Hu & Sweeney). But I was in the RFP and my entire row (including my husband) were all Cubbys. But at least those immediately in front of me and behind me were Dodger fans! I’m not sure if the camera went out that far, but did anyone see 4 guys with their chests painted L – A – D – 1? Well if they were shown on TV, I was sitting the row in front of them and just to the right of the “L” dude.

dnelson: I was glad that you eventually were able to post on Andre’s blog; I just put something on there too! He just seems like such a cool dude; I’m thrilled I now have a chance to “talk” directly to him. Don’t get me wrong, I love my husband but yes, he is pretty cute. I love those eyes of his. 🙂

Boblee14. Wow couldn’t get your kids to turn to the Blue side? Dodger blue side that is? ha. Yeah its painful with some of these Cub fans. They just seem to cry and cry and cry. White Sox fans are annoying too. Haven’t had the pleasure of running into Card fan thank god, but I have heard they have great fans.

Scott, yeah I wouldn’t be surprised if we dealt Kemp at the deadline. We could get great value. He seems like Mondesi.

MLK & SaraLovesRussell: I think I am going to have to forget about going to USC considering I just absolutely bombed my physics final and got a C+ for the year… =( Talk about a bad week, not only the Dodgers but now this. My best shot now I think is Pepperdine but that is starting to look like a major stretch. I take my ACT’s this weekend so I will have a really good idea of where I will go in a month or two. Anyway, speaking of the dodgers:
Dave Duncan Manager 09!!!
David Frost, Logan White, me or anybod but Colletti in 09!!!

Heading to the game shortly. Had not had time to post. Although we lost yesterday, I was encouraged by making it close. I have something to post about Loney when I talked to him Wednesday before the game but I have to get ready to go take the Metrolink to Union station and then walk to Sunset (Caesar Chavez) and Broadway to head to the game. I hope someday we will have a bus that takes us closer to the stadium. The walk from Sunset/Innes to the Top of the park is a hike.

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